Clamp eor surveyors  band-chains



K. c; scHMnjT AND H. G. LYKKEN. CLAMP FOR SURVEYDRS' BAND CHAINS.

I APPLICATION FILED MAR. l2' 1917.

1,307,707. Y PatentedJune 24,1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

WITNESSES ATTORNEY K. c. SCHMIDT AND H. G. LYKKEN.

CLAMPIOR SURVEYORS BAND CHAINS. APPLICATION FILED MAR. I2. 1,917.

1,367,707.y Patented June 24, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

05d-H@ N VE wrong,` ESSES ATTO RN EY UNiTnD sTATEs PATENT onirica.

KARL o. SCHMIDT AND HENRY e. LYKKEN, or GRAND FoRKs, NORTH DAKOTA.

Specification of Letters Patent. Pafbntd June 24, 1919,

Application filed March 12, 1917. Serial No. 154,420.

To all ifi/wm it may concern Be it known that we, KARL C. SCHMIDT and HENRY Gf. LYKKEN, citizens of the United States, residing' at Grand Forks, in

the county of Grand Forks and State of" North Dakota, have invented a new and useful Clamp for Surveyors Band-Chains, of

which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference to cl amps for surveyors band` chains, and its object is to provide a simple and efficient device for holding a band chain in compact form with the chain readily r unovable from the clamp,

corresponding portion of the band chain, while the plates have lips with mouth portions leading to the sockets to readily direct the band chain tliereinto. i

Band chains are sometimes wound upon reels, but this arrangement has the disadvantage that the chains frequently bind and stick on tliereel because no opportunity is given to clean or dry the chain when used in wet weather as the chain is tightlycoiled on the reel. Moreover, a reel, on account of its size, is inconvenient to carry.

It is quite common for surveyors to fold the chain back and forth upon itself with the loops extending' on opposite sides of a central portion, and then to tie the band chain or tape at the central portion by means of a string; or wire. This, however, is inconvenient since it provides no means for releasing less than the full length of the band chain.

The invention has the advantage of not only providing for the looping and securing of the chain, but presents a small and coinpact device which may be readily carried in a small pocket, and a device in which the chain will not stick or bind, while the chain is exposed in most part for drying and cleansing` when needed. Furthermore, any portion of the chain may be released and used, while the unused portion remains secure, and both the operations of securing' and releasing are easily and speedily performed.

The invention provides a holding); device in which the chain may be looped 1n such manner that each loop shall contain a determinate amount of chain, say, vc feet, more or less. It furthermorepermits the display of the `index figures on the saine side of the tape or chain as the successive loops are formed, this being accomplished by giving peach loop a half twist on itself. T hus, when the chain 1s all looped it may be thrown in a manner familiar to surveyors, and forms a compact bundle approximately ten inches in diameter.

The invention will be best understood from aconsideration` of the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, with the further understanding that while the drawings show a practical form of the invention, the latter 'is not confined to any strict conformity with tho showing' of the drawings, but may be changed and modified so long' as such changes and modifications come within the scope ofthe appended claims.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a longitudinal diametric section of one forni of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, with some parts in section, of another form of the invention.

Fig'. 3 is a longitudinal section with some parts in elevation of still another form of the invention.

F ig. eis a section on tlieliiie 4 4- of Fig. 1. i y

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 55 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6 6 of Fig.

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are perspective views of diiferent forms of plates or leaves used `in theseveral forms of holders shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

Fig. l0 is a perspective View showing a ste'p in the operation of contracting the sides of a bundle of loops of the surveyors band chain to make a more compact bundle.

Fig. 1l is a perspective view illustrating1 another step, whereby the already contracted bundle of loops may be still further contracted in size.

Fig. 12 is a perspectiveview, more or less iiidiagram and exaggerated, showing the completion of thestep illustrated in Fig. 11 but confined to a series of singlelloops.

Referring, first, to the forni of the invencated at 2 and eXtending for the greater' portion of the length of the casing. The cylindrical casing 1 is provided with plug caps or heads 3, 4, respectively, forming closures for the ends of the casing. There is also provided a series or stack of plates 5, one of which is shown separately in Fig. 7. Each plate has a disk end G to lit t-he cylinder 1, the disk having a central opening 7 contributing to the lightness of the structure. Projecting radially from each pl'ate 5 is a tongue 8, which in the particular showing of the drawings hvas parallel sides, and is of a length to project through the cut-away portion 2 of the casing and for a distance beyond the latter. Each tongue 8 terminates in a beveled portion 9, and adjacent to fthe disk 6 is provided with a recess or pocket 10 extending crcsswise of the tongue, and substantially tangential to the disk 6.

In addition to the plates 5 there are two other plates 5a, constituting a top plate, and 5b, constituting a bottom plate of the assembled series, the other plates being all alike. The plate 5a differs from the plates 5 in that it has no recess or pocket 10. The plate 5b differs from the plates 5 in that it has no beveled extremity 9. Otherwise the plates are all alike.

The plates 5 are stacked -within the casing 1 from the head 4 toward, but stopping short of the head 3, and between the head 3 `and the topmost plate 5a there is lodged a spring 11.

The structure of Fig. 2 differs somewhat from that of Fig. 1. There is provided in the lstructure of Fig. 2 a flat post l2 having -a head 13 at one end and traversed by a pin 14 near the other end. There is provided a series of plates or leaves 15 of generally rectangular form, each having a passage 16 therethrough, so that the plates may be threaded upon the post 13 in superposed order. The passage 16 is placed near one end of the plate, so that fthe other end of the plate constitutes a proj cot-ing tongue 17 corresponding to the tongue S of the plates 5. Each tongue 17 terminates in a beveled eX- tremiity 18 like the beveled end 9 of the plates 5, and each tongue 17 has a transverse recess or pocket 20 extending clear across it and corresponding to the recess or pocket 10 of the plates 5. There are also provided other plates 15a and 15b differing from the plates 15 in the same respects as the plates 5fL and 5b differ from the plates 5. y

The structure of Fig. 3 differs from the structure of Figs. 1 and 2 in that there is provided a casing 21 of approximately semicylindrioal or segmental form, and of a diametersufficient to accommodate a stack of leaves or )lates 22 similar tobut differing i b `somewhat from the plates 15. Each plate 22 has at a. vpoint intermediate o-f its ends oppositely disposed recesses 23 entering the opposite edges the plate and dividing the body of the plate from a tongue extension 2l having a beveled extremity 25 and a trans verse recess or pocket 2G between the extremity 25 and the recesses 23. The stack of plates 22 has a top plate 22 and a bottom plate 22" differing from the plates 22 in the same respects as the similarly disposed plates of the structures shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The casing 21 is provided with diametric inwardly directed iianges 27 entering the recesses 23 and other flanges 28 similar to the flanges 27 and arranged above the top plate 22a and below the bottom plate 22" of the stack `of plates in Athe casing 21. A leaf sprin` 29 is inclosed in the easing 21 with rits lextremities bearing against the plates 22l and 22) and extending -beyond the flanges 28 and serv-ing 'to hold the stack of plates 22 in eliastically yieldable face to face relation.

Tn order to permit the assembling of the structure. of Fig. 3, one side 21a of the casing 21 may be 'formed separately and after the Iassemblage of the parts is united to the casing by soldering, or by screws, or in any other suitable manner.

All the' different forms of the invention operate in the same manner, so that a descriptilon of one form applies to all the forms and to still other forms which the inven tion m'ay assume, but which have not been shown in Ithe drawings.

One end of a tape-like surveyors band chain which consists of a relatively narrow and thin steel band of suitable length has one end inserted between one end plate and the next in order, the insertion being in a direction edgewise of the band until the band seats in a pocket 10 or 20 or 2G, as the case may be, the remaining plate or plates of the stack yielding for the purpose. As soon `as the band is seated in a pocket. it becomes temporarily locked therein by the return of the displaced plate or plates under the action of the spring urging the plates together. The band is then formed into a loop and inserted between the next two plates in order and carried to the other side of the stack of plates. where it is again formed into a loop and brought back to the stack of plates and there inserted and seated in a corresponding pocket, and so on, until the entire chain folded back and forth upon itself is confined midway of the folded portions by the holding device or clamp. The arrangement permits of the loopsbeing of determinate lengths, say, five feet each, more or less, with the index figures all on the saine side of the tape so as to be readily observllO plates, or, inthe case of the structure of Fig.`

.2, that/portion of the series of, plates held i.

together by the carrying means, `constitutes a convenient hand` hold for grasping the structure while the band chain isbeiiig inserted or removed and may be i. utilized for the attachment of other carrying means fa-l cilitating the transportation of the coiled chain.` e .i

While `the invention has .been described as` providing a holdingl means or Iclampfforxa `surveyors band chain, `it isnot. necessarily` confined to such particular use, but may be used for other purposesfor which itlmay be` adapted. The pockets orreceptacles formed l by therecesses 10, 20. or 26, eachwvith the next plate in order constituting a `cover and holding member therefor, may be shaped in` accordance witlithe article/or articles to `be lodged and `held therein. t

In Fig; 3 there is shown astrap 30 having one end `31 secured to the .casing ladjacent to one endof the stack ofplates .22, `The strap is passed throughan eye BQnear the other end of the stack of plates .and secured'.

to the casing 2l, and thendreturned upon. itself and made fast bya buckle 33 `to the first-mentioned portion of the strap near the` end 3l. e ondary bundles of loops after throwing the tape, and is particularly `useful when han-` dling extra long tapes, say,;tapes of two or three hundred jfeet in` lengtl`i, where the clamp structure is of a sizeiiitended primal rily for a hundred foot tape. The strap represents one ofthe simplest means for the purpose, but other means may be employed. In Fig. 10 a long surveyors band chain 3.4, say two or more hundred eetfin length, is shown applied to the clamp to.` constitute a bundle 35 of loops of large diameter. This bundle of loops is'` shown as being twisted f into figure-of-B form with an intermediate portion 36 to be ultimately brought to the clamp so as to engage between said clamp and the inner or first loop of the strap 30'. In Fig. 1l, the intermediate portion 36 is shown as already secured by the strap 30 passed through the eye 32. thus forming another coil 35at of double the thickness of the coil 35. This coil is again twisted, as in Fig. 10, and its intermediate portion 36a, after the bundle 35a is twisted, as in Fig. 10, is brought to the clamp outside of that part of the strap 30 holding the intermediate portion 36, and the remainder of the strap is used to secure the whole bundle of loops to the clamp, the strap being passed through and secured in the buckle 33.

In Fig. 12 the arrangement of the series of loops is diagrammatically represented This provides for -securingsecfor.` them'` purpose of simplicity andthe parts are somewhat exaggerated to permit such showing.

- .Itwill be used without the strap it sodesired, and is usuallyso used where the chain` is of rela-` tively short length. The manner of holding a long band in the clamp `by theaid ofthe signedI to receive the tapeinay liavethe en tering side walls slightly beveled, as .indicated, "tofacilitate the removal of the tape whendesired. l l. l

`What I claim is i i i lzAlclainpfor surveyors` band chains, comprising a series of platesmor leaves and be that the clamp may.

means `for holding; them inelastically yieldable face.. to face relation, theileaves being provided with recesses or pockets for the re` ceptioii or corresponding `portions of the band chain. l i

21A clamp for surveyors?. band chains, comprisinga series of` leaves or plates in face jto face relation with the leaves having pro- ]ectmgportions or` tongues provided with t transverse `recessesor pockets `for receiving corresponding portionsof a band chain, and a holder for the leaves engaging those parts ofthe leaves remote from the tongues and having a spring for yieldably confining the leaves in face to face relation.

.A clamp for holding a surveyors band chain, comprising a series of plates or leaves eachhaving a `tongue projection with a beveled 'extremity and a transverse recess or pocket adjacent to the extremity, and hold` ing means engaging the .leaves `at those por-` tions remote from the beveled,extremities plates in yieldable` facevto` face engagement.

il.. A clamp for` holding a surveyors band` fpocket .adjacent to the extremity, and holding means engaging the leaves at those portions remote from the beveled extremities and including spring means for holding the plates in yieldable face to face engagement, the series of leaves being provided with end leaves one of which lacks the bevel at the extremity and the other of which lacks the transverse recess or pocket.

5. A clamp :for holding a surveyors band chain, comprising a casing, a series of plates or leaves in face to face engagement with one end of each leaf lodged in the casing and the other end of each leaf in the form of a tongue projecting from the casing and there provided with a transverse recess constituting a pocket, and with the extremities shaped to guide the band into the pockets, and a spring in the casing holding the series and .including .spring means Vfor holdingthe to the receiving portions being shaped to guide the article thereto.

8; A holding structure, comprising a series of leaves or'plates With receptacles therein and carrying means for the plates holding the latter in elastically yieldable face to face relation.

9. A clamp for surveyors band chains, comprising aseries of plates or leaves and means for holding themf in elastically yieldable face to face relation With the leaves provided W-ith recessesor pockets for the reception of corresponding portions of the band chain, the Wall of each recess Where the band enters and leaves being beveled to facilitate the removal of the band from the pocket. 10. A clamp for surveyors band chains provided vwith devices yfor holding corresponding portions of the band chains in loops or coils, a loop at one end of the clamp, a buckle at the other end of the clamp, and a strap fast to the end of the clamp carrying the buckle and capable of being threaded throughthe loop and secured in the buckle. l1. A clamp for holding a surveyors band chain, comprising a casing, a series of leaves or plates mounted in the casing in the form of a stack in face to face relation, with each leaf having a tongue projection with a beveled extremity, and pockets -back of said bev- Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the plates in face to eled extremity and exterior to the casing, and a spring in the casing for holding the plates in face to face contact.

1'2. A clamp for holding a surveyors band chain, comprising a casing, a series of leaves or plates mounted in the casing in the form of a stack in face to face relation With each leaf having a tongue projection with a beveled extremity, and pockets back of said beveled extremity and exterior to the casing, and a spring in the casing for holding the face contact, the casing and plates having coacting portions for preventing escape of the. plates from the casing.

13. A clamp for holding a surveyors band chain, comprising a casing open along one side, a stack of plates each in part lodged Within the casing and in part exterior thereto, with the exterior portion provided with recesses constituting pockets for holding corresponding portions of the band, and a spring in the casing for holding the plates yieldably in face to face condition.

14. A clamp for holding a surveyors band chain, comprising a cylindrical casing open at one side lengthwise of the casing, heads for closing the ends of the casing, a stack of plates in the casing each of a shape to [it Within the casing and each having a tongue extension projecting through the open side of the casing and providedA With a recess or pocket for receiving a corresponding portion of the band, and a spring Within the casing engaging the stack for holding the plates yieldably in face to face relation.

In testimony that We claim the foregoing as our own, We have hereto affixed our signatures in the presence of two Witnesses.

Witnesses E. M. METZ, J. B. HOWARD.

Washington, D. C.

Commissioner of Patents, j 

